The best wedding venues in Athens, Greece
April 26, 2023As a Greek wedding photographer, I have the opportunity to travel a lot around the beautiful Mediterranean country. Every year, I visit several wedding venues in Greece and step foot on the most beautiful Greek islands. Since most of my clients ask me what the best Greek islands to get married to are, I decided to narrow down the options for you.
Therefore, in this comprehensive article, I will share 10+1 Greek islands for a perfect wedding. Greece is an ideal location for destination weddings, and having an overview of each island will help you plan your special day. So, apart from various info about each island, you will also see multiple images from my wedding photography albums, shot exclusively on these islands.
That said, let's start now with the best Greek islands to get married to in 2024 and what to expect from each of them.
10+1 Greek islands to get married in 2024
Before starting with the destination wedding ideas in Greece, I'd like to share a short note regarding my list. Since I photograph dozens of weddings in Greece annually, I must tell you that the best places are often off-the-beaten-path. While you will see some iconic Greek islands in the following lines, some of the best weddings in Greece take place on smaller islands.
"While you will see some iconic Greek islands in the following lines, some of the best weddings in Greece take place on smaller islands."
That said, in this Greek Island Wedding Guide, you'll see a mixture of islands. You'll find smaller and bigger Greek islands and read about easygoing places and more traditional ones. However, every island that made it to this list guarantees a fantastic experience and crazily good times!
So, let's start.
Corfu: a fantastic destination wedding location
Getting married in Corfu is one of the best things you can treat yourself. Corfu, the undeniable pearl of the Ionian Sea, rightly ranks among the most stunning Greek islands. The elegant island of Corfu (or Kerkyra) is the best place to get married in Greece if you're after a noble atmosphere for your wedding.
Corfu's old town has a touch of Italian architecture, and its main square, Liston, is an ideal backdrop for every newlywed photo album. But, apart from its sophisticated style, Corfu has another big plus: it's home to an international airport that'll make reaching it easier for you and your wedding guests.
After all these years of working as a destination wedding photographer, Corfu still amazes me with its incredible vibe and elegance. I firmly believe that Corfu is among the top Greek islands to host your wedding in 2023.
Paros: top-notch wedding facilities
Tying the knot in the Cyclades is one of the most authentic things to do in Greece. The beautiful Greek island offers a variety of wedding facilities that will satisfy even the most demanding couple. So if you're stressed about your big day and want everything to be planned perfectly, Paros is probably for you.
While its picturesque whitewashed houses and tiny streets will make you think of a romantic wedding, there's more to that. The wedding planners and professionals working on the island are well-organized and guarantee a seamless wedding ceremony. Moreover, the fact that Paros is easily accessible by air and sea makes it an all-time favorite for guests.
At every wedding I photoshoot in Paros, I have the feeling of high-quality services. And I think it's not a coincidence that many Greeks choose Paros as a wedding destination.
Folegandros: a colorful Greek wedding
Couples that get married in Folegandros always have a special place in my heart. The small island of Folegandros is one of the most beautiful Cycladic islands. Even though the landscape on this Greek island feels barren, I can assure you that couples choose it for their Greek wedding ceremony due to its breathtaking landscapes.
Folegandros is an alternative wedding destination in Greece, ideal for people willing to have a different marriage style. For example, one of the most iconic Greek churches is in Folegandros, and all the wedding parties occur at the island's main square, where the whole island often participates!
Yes, Folegandros might not be easy to reach: you can only travel to Folegandros by ferry or catamaran, and the journey can be long. However, it's one of these rewarding small Greek islands that offer memorable moments under the Greek sun. You won't regret choosing Folegandros for your Greece destination wedding location!
Hydra: a wedding as stylish as it gets
Hydra probably ticks all the boxes as a destination wedding in Greece. It has a splendid atmosphere, it's a car-free island, and lies less than two hours from Athens. Located in the Saronic Gulf, Hydra is among the most romantic Greek islands to get married to. If you need its lovely vibe, I can tell you that Leonard Cohen owned a house in Hydra his entire life.
Despite having just a few wedding venues, Hydra will impress you with its relaxed style. As I already mentioned, you won't find cars on the island. However, straight after disembarking, you'll be greeted by donkeys -yes, these cute animals are used for transporting luggage on the cobblestoned streets.
Hydra is among my most beloved islands as a wedding photographer due to its photogenic looks. In addition, Hydra is among the closest islands to Athens on this list, and it's ideal for people willing to have a memorable wedding without being far away from the capital.
Koufonissia: the blue waters wedding location
Traveling around Greece to capture the big day of international couples has brought me to every corner of the country. I can assure you that I visited dozens of Greek islands -but no one had the crystal blue waters of Koufonissia.
Located in a subcomplex of the Cyclades known as the Little Cyclades, Koufonissia is one of the tiniest Greek islands. However, don't let this fact fool you: it's one of the best places to host a minimal wedding in Greece! Although it takes several hours to reach it, the island is famous for its beautiful beaches and the wild wedding parties hosted on its soil.
The minimal architecture, the easygoing rhythms, and the awesome island vibe make Koufonissia one of the best islands to get married in Greece. And, surprisingly, for an island that small, the wedding facilities are exceptional.
Spetses: a luxurious wedding destination in Greece
To some, it might be an exaggeration the term luxurious wedding destination. However, I intentionally coined this term to highlight that Spetses is a place to host an ultra-stylish wedding. Getting hitched in Spetses can be a luxurious experience, especially if you want to take care of every detail of your marriage.
Like Hydra, Spetses is located in the Saronic Gulf, making it one of the closest wedding locations to Athens. Home to the famous Spetses Classic Yacht Regatta, the island is among the most elegant spots in Greece. Several luxurious hotels and wedding venues are available, and easy access to Athens is a plus for your guests.
I have very fond memories of Spetses, and the marriages I shot on the island are among my favorite as a destination wedding photographer.
Sifnos: where magic weddings happen
I am biased when it comes to Sifnos. It's hands down one of my favorite islands for wedding photoshoots, and there are plenty of reasons. Located in the Cyclades and approximately four hours from Athens, Sifnos is famous for its delicious local cuisine and beautiful landscapes.
However, regarding weddings in Sifnos, we talk about a different experience level. The island has hundreds of small churches and unique wedding party locations. Among the top spots to host a wedding party in Greece is the stunning Lazarou Beach. This beautiful location is a must-do celebration location for every newlywed couple in Sifnos.
Weddings in Sifnos tend to be easygoing without abolishing the traditional touch. So if you plan to get married on a picturesque Greek island with a big heart, look no further: Sifnos will create a memorable setting!
Zakynthos: weddings with great views
The vistas of Zakynthos (or Zante) are hard to find elsewhere. Although its most famous viewpoint is above Shipwreck Beach, Zakynthos has many equally stunning locations. Despite being popular as a wedding destination for Brits, Zakynthos attracts thousands of couples every year.
The island features an international airport and an easy connection to mainland Greece. Therefore, if reaching your wedding location easily is a must, Zakynthos is a great option. The island's increasing popularity as a wedding destination subsequently lifted the standards of wedding packages.
Nowadays, Zakynthos attracts couples for its crystal clear waters and its dramatic landscapes. If you ask me, the island is a wedding photographer's dream.
Santorini: the ultimate wedding destination in Greece
Of course, no talk about a destination wedding in Greece is complete without a mention of Santorini. The most famous Greek island is part of any bucket list. As you can imagine, it couldn't be missing from the best Greek islands to get married in 2024.
Preferred by thousands of couples every year, Santorini offers high-quality weddings in Greece's most iconic landscape. Locations like Fira and Oia are used as the setting for happy newlyweds, and it's not an exaggeration to say that every wedding photo is a keeper. You can't simply go wrong when photographing a wedding in Santorini.
Moreover, Santorini is probably the best place to elope in Greece. Yes, planning a Santorini elopement is, in fact, one of the best concepts for your perfect day. So if you want a Santorini wedding with a twist, consider it.
Naxos: the art of Greek island wedding
The Greece destination wedding industry developed rapidly during the last decades. Bigger Greek islands, like Naxos, can be seen as the locomotive of progression. Exactly like its neighbor, Paros, the island of Naxos is one of the biggest and wealthiest in the Cyclades. That said, the wedding services offered on the island are top-notch.
Due to its size, Naxos is a perfect Greek island to get married. You can find offers for every budget and style, and the wedding planners working on the island guarantee a fantastic marriage. There's enough room for every style in Naxos: pebbled or sandy beaches, picturesque or dramatic landscapes, and big or small wedding venues. Plus, the island has an airport and is easy to reach by ferry.
If you're puzzled about the best place to get married in Greece, Naxos is an all-around solution. Plus, as a wedding photographer, I assure you that your photo album will be beautiful.
Lefkada: Greece's hidden gem for weddings
Last but not least, Lefkada (or Lefkas) is my +1 entry on this list. Despite being relatively known as an island, Lefkada wasn't until recently in Greece's wedding destinations. However, it's not a surprise that this has changed rapidly during the last few years, and today, Lefkada is becoming a standalone wedding destination.
Featuring a picturesque main settlement and several breathtaking beaches, Lefkada is a great place to get married in Greece. And compared to the other islands on this list, it has a big plus: it's the only island you can reach by car! During the last few decades, Lefkada's small ferry was replaced by a bridge. Therefore, it connects to mainland Greece easily and reaching it's not a hassle.
And here's an extra tip for your wedding in Greece: Lefkada is a green island. While the Cyclades are famous for their barren landscape, Lefkada's nature is rich. So, if you're looking for a fertile background for your wedding photos, consider Lefkada for your marriage.
10+1 best Greek islands to get married in 2024
Here are the 10+1 best Greek islands to get married in 2024:
- Corfu
- Paros
- Folegandros
- Hydra
- Koufonissia
- Spetses
- Sifnos
- Zakynthos
- Santorini
- Naxos
- Lefkada
Conclusion:
The best wedding destinations in the Greek islands
If you daydream of getting married in Greece, I'm sure you found useful tips in the previous lines. Planning a wedding in Greece might sound like a lot of guesswork; however, it's a rewarding experience.
The list of the best Greek islands to get married to in 2024 is not exhaustive, but it can give you ideas for your wedding.
If you are still searching for a wedding photographer, I'd be more than happy to talk with you. Please get in touch with me for rates and availability, and let's work together on your wedding day!
Are you planning the wedding? Perhaps we can help you get inspired!
